Auto Dimming Rear View Mirror

[Odd Job]

Originally Posted by wullie480

I see what you want to do now.
I wonder if the brighter lights are reflecting from the screen and confusing the sensor at the front of the mirror making it think it’s light and therefore not dimming the mirror.
I wonder if a filter over the front could help or maybe try tape so it’s dimmed all the time?
I believe they are the same fixing in the screen.


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That's my theory, the brighter headlights are confusing the sensor.
I have reached out to dim it myself quite a few times before I remember and realise it's an auto dim.
The fact I'm conscious it needs to dim means I'm having a problem.

One car's lights where that bright, and because he followed me for quite a few miles, I moved the mirror completely askew as it refused to dip and I was getting dazzled that bad.
His lights where these HID type I think,
Interestingly enough, when I ended up with a different vehicle behind, it dimmed no problem!!

[wullie480]

Remember there is 2 sensors one forward one rear. The rear one picks up the light from behind and the front will monitor ambient light level and if the 2 levels are a certain range apart then it’ll dim. Wonder what it would be like for you dimmed all the time? Easily done just block the front sensor with tape.

I’m guessing the brighter lights reflecting off the screen make the front sensor think it’s brighter than it is.


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[Avulon]

Originally Posted by wullie480

Instead of swapping the mirror to a non auto dip you could just unplug the current one to prevent it working that way it all looks the same and saves you buying a mirror.


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But then you can't manually dip it without re-adjusting the mirror.


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I'd suggest that you ensure that the sensor on the mirror side is clean, and maybe angle it downwards just a little more. Perhaps you can have a co-driver check whether light from the vehicle behind is actually hitting the sensor on those times it doesn't dip but you'd like it to.



I wouldn't rule out there being a fault with the mirror, or it's wiring, making it work intermittently.


P.S: Sometimes even when they do work it's not enough if you've got a modern range rover behind you - they dazzle whatever you do.

[trikey]

The manual mirror will fit the screen as it is the same fixing as the auto dining one, you will have to refit the auto dip plastic surround to your new mirror though.

[Odd Job]

Originally Posted by trikey

The manual mirror will fit the screen as it is the same fixing as the auto dining one, you will have to refit the auto dip plastic surround to your new mirror though.

Many thanks.

I think I'm going to go the way of fitting a "standard" mirror.
I've got the choice then of what it does!

[Mike Trident]

I have just changed my manual mirror to an auto dim type. I can confirm it fits straight onto the window mount. I have a manual mirror here that you can have for free.

To answer a few questions, yes the manual mirror is slightly larger than the auto. If its wired in correctly, using all three of the wires, it will turn off any auto dim as soon as you select reverse gear. This is to avoid the situation mentioned here about reversing out of a garage.

My new to me auto dim seems to work just fine. I have no issues with it, in fact I have noticed it dims slightly if vehicle approaches from behind even if the lights aren't really a problem. So, yes it it quite sensitive.

[HarryM1BYT]

Originally Posted by Mike Trident

To answer a few questions, yes the manual mirror is slightly larger than the auto. If its wired in correctly, using all three of the wires, it will turn off any auto dim as soon as you select reverse gear. This is to avoid the situation mentioned here about reversing out of a garage.

I will need to recheck that, because so far as I remember, mine continued to dimmed in reverse.

[raykay]

It shouldn't, one of the three cables connected to the mirror is from the reverse light circuit to prevent dimming in reverse.

[Odd Job]

I've today swapped my auto dim to manual dim mirror.

I wish I had had a look on this thread ( yes, I know I started it ) before I ordered one off fleabay. Many thanks for the offer of a free rear view Mike,
I tend to check back on the forum every few days, so I'm not reading constantly!

Anyway, it's fitted. I've got back a little bit of control! Does this make me a control freak? Possibly not as I've kept my rain sensor for the wipers!!

All I need to do is test it out at night now!!!

Size wise, the mirror glass is slightly wider, but not as long.
I'm sure it'll surve me well!

[Odd Job]

20200809_115947 by Richard Rowley, on Flickr